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Embarrassment of riches

I am always blown away by the extravagant abundance surrounding the holidays – even when my family makes the annual decision to “go easy this year”. But it occurs to me that I should really feel accustomed to bonanza. Whether we gardeners grow plants for their flowers, foliage or food, we are daily blessed by an embarrassment of riches – one I am never the least bit discomfited by.

Like many of you, I am taking a little time at the turn of the year – and the decade – to organize pictures and take a reassessing look back at the whole season. In a series of New Year posts I’ll list a Top Nine plants for 2009. I might even do a Top Ten for the whole decade (with Gail’s help) in order to list a few plants that have really stood the test. And unless I get distracted by other shiny topics, I’ll take a good look at whatever didn’t work so well in the gardens too. In the meantime though, while I do some more sorting, here is a year in pictures of extravagant abundance from all over Blithewold (in order from January to December, 2009):

Gail and I want to thank everyone who helped make these gardens and grounds so richly abundant and beautiful this year. Some of you know who you are – Fred and Dan, Lilah and Cathy, Julie, everyone in the house, all of the volunteers. Blithewold members, supporters and visitors, we couldn’t do it without any of you either. (And what would be the point?) Thanks go also to Blithewold’s virtual visitors. – I couldn’t write this without you. (Fellow bloggers, I have recently updated my blogroll – if you’re not on it and would like to be, please let me know.)

Are you reveling in or reviewing a year’s worth of your garden’s abundance too? If you have posted pictures, please send along a link!

Thank you for the reminder that this year is on the way out! You are right about the abundance around us. My recent trip really brought that home to me. We are all so very fortunate to live in this country. I need to start a retrrospective as I just love yours. The pictures are all winners. Do you have a favortie? Crabapples in fog is quite ethereal.

Thanks Layanee – I think the crocus is my favorite picture – probably because I remember how great it felt to get on my belly for that shot. But the fog is a close second… I’ll look forward to your seeing your year in review! -kris

Wonderful. And look at the beets!!! I may have to do a 2009 roundup now that you’ve shown what fun it can be. If only we had some Rockettes and Deadheads in the ‘Ville…I’m learning how much I enjoy photos of people in the gardens. Something to explore this year.

I’m still eating those beets, just had some today in my lunch as a matter of fact! I know what you mean about photos of gardeners – I love looking at them too. Only I’m not as comfortable taking them… (I’ll leave that to you!) -kris